Our latest roundup of worker wins includes numerous examples of working people organizing, bargaining and mobilizing for a better life.
Democratic National Committee Staff Ratifies First Union Contract: Workers at the Democratic National Committee (DNC), members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 500, ratified their first union contract. The four-year contract includes average wage increases of 11.25% across the life of the contract, an increase of 14.75% for workers earning less than $80,000 a year, severance benefits, expanded benefits to staff members who deploy to states, and additional training for staff and managers. “The agreement is a testament to the power of collective bargaining and the DNC's commitment to its staff,” said SEIU Local 500 Executive Director Travis B. Simon. “Our members work tirelessly to advance the Democratic Party’s mission, and this contract reflects their dedication and professionalism. With significant wage increases, enhanced benefits, and improved working conditions, we’ve ensured that DNC staff will have the support and resources they need to thrive, both professionally and personally. We’re proud to have achieved a contract that truly values the people who make the DNC run.”
Loft Cinema Staff Votes to Organize: Workers at one of Arizona’s last remaining independent movie theaters, the Loft Cinema in Tucson, voted unanimously to organize with Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 415. “I love it there….It really is, it’s a Tucson institution,” said Christopher Conley, who works the floor at The Loft selling concessions, taking tickets and cleaning theaters. “We weren’t feeling like we were being heard. And the main thing is that we wanted our voices to be heard. It wasn’t about how loudly we were saying things, but about the impact.” Negotiations for the workers’ first union contract are expected to begin in the next few weeks. The Loft workers are hoping to negotiate for higher overtime pay, increased wages, improved working conditions and better benefits. The Loft Cinema is a nonprofit, community-supported theater in Tucson launched in 1972.
'Saturday Night Live’ VFX Artists Ratify Historic First Union Contract: Visual effects (VFX) workers at “Saturday Night Live” (“SNL”) unanimously ratified their first union contract. After successfully organizing in October 2024, the “SNL” VFX workers began contract negotiations in April 2025. The contract brings significant improvements, including establishing a minimum wage scale, securing ongoing health care benefits, offering annuity contributions, providing “kill fees” for artists hired for projects canceled before completion, implementing a robust grievance process, and creating critical artificial intelligence and outsourcing protections. “The VFX team is proud to be officially part of [Theatrical Stage Employees] IATSE,” said Hannah S. Kim, one of the lead organizers. “We are excited to join the large union presence at ‘SNL’ and hope this inspires the rest of the VFX and animation industries across the country to follow suit. I personally am so happy to see my fellow artists be protected under a union, and look forward to the future of this team under a bargaining unit.”
San Diego Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions Workers Ratified New Contracts: More than 45,000 grocery employees across Southern California overwhelmingly voted to ratify new three-year contracts with Ralphs, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions. The ratification vote, announced last Friday by United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), signals the end of a contract battle that had been brewing since the previous agreements expired in early March. “This ratification vote is a victory for the hardworking grocery members who never gave up,” said Todd Walters, president of UFCW Local 135, which represents San Diego County workers. “Our members stood up to illegal company behavior, slow bargaining tactics, and disrespect—and they won.” Included in the contract are significant wage increases for both new and longtime employees, a new supplemental pension plan, expanded health care benefits, and stronger staffing language that gives the union a say in ensuring safe and efficient staffing levels. “As a member of the bargaining committee and a Ralphs worker for 36 years, I’ve never seen a group more determined to win real change,” said Camillia Fulton, a Ralphs worker in San Marcos and a member of the union’s bargaining committee. “We fought for respect, and we got a contract that begins to deliver it. I’m proud of what we accomplished together.”
APWU Overwhelmingly Approves New Contract: American Postal Workers Union (APWU) members approved a three-year labor contract, with 95% of members voting in favor. The contract includes no-layoff protections, cost-of-living-adjustments and general wage increases for the next three years. “Every member should be very proud of this huge accomplishment,” said APWU President Mark Dimondstein. “Our power at the bargaining table was driven by the strength of your solidarity and unity, the foundation of our union.” Career workers will receive a retroactive pay increase of 1.3%, effective November 16, 2024, and a $395 cost-of-living adjustment, effective March 8, 2025.
Champaign County Workers Ratify New Contract with 94% of the Vote: Champaign County workers, members of AFSCME Local 900, voted to ratify a new contract. Members of AFSCME Local 900 (part of District Council 31) voted to ratify the new contract agreement that includes health insurance affordability by reducing premiums and holding the line on out-of-pocket costs; increased pay, especially for low-wage workers; access to free rabies vaccines for all animal control employees; and more. “By sticking together and showing we’d do whatever was necessary—even strike—to get a fair contract, we made real progress and won real gains,” said AFSCME Local 900 President Cece Phillips. These AFSCME employees work in the following departments, among others: highways, courts, circuit clerk, assessor, coroner, auditor, treasurer and animal control.
Casa Bonita Crew Union Voluntarily Recognized: Workers in the arcade department of Casa Bonita have united to join Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 7 and received voluntary recognition from management. The arcade workers and leaders, who are part of the venue’s entertainment crew, unanimously signed authorization cards. Workers said they were motivated by job security, fair wages and consistency in scheduling. “All we want is a better work environment and by joining together with our co-workers we feel like it’s truly possible,” said Dayanara Lopez, Member Leader and Casa Bonita Arcade Captain. Casa Bonita management agreed to voluntarily recognize the members on July 1 following a third-party card check. Lopez added, “Union representation for us in the arcade means that we can be treated with the fairness and respect that we deserve.” Casa Bonita has been a beloved institution in the greater Denver area since it first opened. It’s owned by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who have described the venue as “the Disneyland of Restaurants” with “Broadway-quality entertainment.” The arcade workers join other staff and performers, such as cliff divers, actors, puppeteers and magicians, who have unionized with IATSE and Actors’ Equity Association at Casa Bonita.
World Cafe Live Workers Vote to Unionize: Nearly 80% of World Cafe Live workers in Philadelphia signed a petition to unionize following a tumultuous month for workers who have accused management of unfair labor practices. “Forming a union is a necessary first step toward establishing fair working conditions,” said Emilia Reynolds, a bartender at World Cafe Live. “We’re very grateful for the outpouring of support we’ve received from musicians, concertgoers and community members. We’re committed to making sure our venue remains a beloved Philadelphia institution for years to come.” The announcement came just over a week after the venue's production department joined the IATSE Local 8 union, which was voluntarily recognized by World Cafe Live management. UNITE HERE Local 274 has also asked management to voluntarily recognize its union. On June 11, World Cafe Live servers, bartenders, box office employees and production workers walked off the job, citing an “unacceptable level of hostility and mismanagement.” A demand letter was sent to Joseph Callahan, CEO of World Cafe Live, and senior executives, requesting full transparency, accurate and timely pay, job security, and a deeper commitment to the community. In response to the protests, at least 10 employees were fired. Multiple employees ranging from management level to service staffers have recently resigned, citing a hostile work environment.
Video Game Workers and Industry Agree to AI Restrictions in New Labor Contract: In national voting, SAG-AFTRA members approved the 2025 SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media Agreement with a “yes” vote of 95.04%, ratifying the deal. The new contract includes performer safety guardrails and gains around artificial intelligence (AI), including consent and disclosure requirements for AI digital replica use and the ability for performers to suspend consent for the generation of new material during a strike. The contract also provides compounded increases in performer compensation at a rate of 15.17% upon ratification; additional 3% increases in November 2025, November 2026 and November 2027; a change where the overtime rate maximum for overscale performers will be based on double scale; and an increase in health and retirement contribution rates to the AFTRA Retirement Fund, from 16.5% to 17% and then to 17.5% in October 2026. “I commend the strong leadership of Interactive Media Agreement Negotiating Chair Sarah Elmaleh, who remained steadfast through three years of hard bargaining while facing many challenging headwinds during a challenging negotiation cycle,” said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. “This deal achieves important progress around AI protections, and progress is the name of the game! My sincere respect goes out to the entire video game performer community and their allies for their solidarity during the strike, which provided the necessary leverage to secure this deal’s many essential gains.”
AFM Members at Annapolis Symphony Orchestra Sign New 3-Year Contract: Workers at the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, represented by the Musicians’ Association of Metropolitan Baltimore, American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 40-543, ratified a new three-year contract. The contract extends through June 30, 2028, ensuring the organization’s artistic excellence and financial stability. The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra is Anne Arundel County’s oldest and largest performing arts organization. The new contract includes annual wage increases; travel reimbursement for musicians; progressive tenure conditions; and two new positions, principal keyboard and second percussion, bringing the number of contracted musicians in the orchestra to 69. “We’re proud that this agreement recognizes the dedication and artistry of our musicians with meaningful improvements in wages, benefits, and working conditions,” said Derek Smith, chair of the ASO Musicians’ Players’ Committee.
College of DuPage Workers File to Form Union with AFSCME: Some 600 workers at the College of DuPage filed a majority interest petition with the Illinois Labor Relations Board to form a union with AFSCME Council 31. Once the board verifies that the petition includes the signatures of a majority of employees, it will officially certify the union. The new union—College of DuPage Staff United/AFSCME—will represent “classified” staff, which includes administrative, clerical, information technology and similar employees. The workers wrote in a statement, “We are forming our union because we are proud of the work we do to see our students and community thrive….It’s time for staff to have our own voice.” The workers say their benefits have eroded over the years and salaries have been frozen for many staff. “I love everything about what College of DuPage represents,” said Kim Still, who works in the school’s Veterans Services department. “I love what we do for the students. I love how we impact their lives. Every one of us has their hand in the students’ success here in one way or another. We’re a common good for our community and we deserve to be treated as such. We deserve better benefits. We deserve better wages. And we deserve to be heard,” Still said.